Ornamental Pendant Comprising a Knife and Sheath

ABSTRACT

A necklace, bracelet, or rear view mirror accessory is provided that has the dual function of being a knife holder. The necklace has a knife with an ornamented handle that protrudes from a knife sheath, the two forming a pendant. The pendant is attached to a loop that is sized to fit on a user or over a rear view mirror. The ornamentation is created with cutouts.

FIELD

The present technology relates to a combination of a knife and a sheath,which when together, form a pendant for hanging around a user's neck.More specifically, the technology is a knife with a cutout ornamentalhandle and a blade that is releasably retained in a laterallysymmetrical extrusion molded sheath having a cord or strap attachedthereto.

BACKGROUND

Various combinations of knives and sheaths are known. Some sheaths areformed of leather or plastic and loosely retain the knife. These canaccept a range of different sizes and shapes of knives. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,684 discloses a one piece molded knife sheath forfixed blade knives having a blade portion and a contoured handle portionincluding a forefinger groove separated from the blade portion by ahandle ridge. The sheath of the invention is comprised of ablade-contoured sheath pocket for receiving the blade portion andadjacent handle ridge of such knives. The molded sheath pocket has anelongated back wall, a shorter front wall and a pair of side wallsinterconnecting the front wall to the back wall. The back wall of thesheath pocket in its upper portion has molded-in belt loops forattaching the sheath to the belt of the wearer.

Other sheaths are formed to specifically retain a given knife. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,322 discloses a security sheath for kniveswherein the sheath is made of 2 sheets of thermoplastic attached to oneanother with rivets, and then molded to the exact dimensions of theknife blade, thereby providing a margin where the two sheets are joinedtogether, and an asymmetric interior inside the margin, where the sheathis the exact shape of the knife. The sheath grips the knife tightly toprevent accidental loss or withdrawal. The security of such grip issufficient to enable the knife to be carried in the sheath in aninverted position upon the body of the wearer.

Some combinations are designed specifically for hanging around a user'sneck or wrist. For example, Design Pat. No. 321548 discloses a knife andsheath combination wherein the knife is a fixed blade knife and thesheath has a cord attached at its distal end for attaching to a user.The sheath comprises at least two sheets attached to one another todefine an opening that fits over the blade and a portion of the handleof the knife. The sheath is asymmetrical and is strictly functional.

In a similar art, pen holders are known having a strap or cord forplacing over a user's neck. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,749discloses a pen-holder that includes a body with at least one cavityformed therein with at least one aperture communicating with theexterior and with at least one resilient member fixed to an inner wallof the cavity so as to be able to engage a tip of a writing instrumentinserted therein. The body also has means for securing it to a user, orto an accessory or garment worn by the said user. The cavity ispreferably frusto-conical, tapering towards the inside of the body.

SUMMARY

The present technology provides a pendant that has dual functionality,that of jewelry and an implement. The pendant is comprised of a knifewith a blade and an ornamented handle, the handle having an essentiallyelongated teardrop shaped rim and an interior, and terminating in abutt, the interior of the handle comprising a multi-aperture cutout todefine a positive or a negative silhouette; and

a sheath comprised of an extrusion molded nylon single unit forming alaterally symmetrical body defining a cavity for accepting the blade andan integral nipple for accepting a loop.

Preferably, the positive or negative silhouette defines an intricateartistic design selected from the group consisting of a bear, a fish anda ram.

More preferably the intricate artistic design is formed from a negativesilhouette.

Advantageously, the knife is asymmetrical and the pendant issymmetrical.

Preferably, the body of the sheath defines a narrow uncontoured cavityfor accepting the blade.

Advantageously, the blade and ornamented handle are integral and thehandle has a quillon and spine, the spine extending distally along theblade and having a flattened distal section, to provide a flat surfacefor a user to press against to assist in cutting.

Preferably, the nipple is solid and has a loop aperture.

To make the pendant more decorative the sheath is multi-coloured.

Preferably, the handle has a concave curve on a lower side.

Advantageously, the flattened distal section is angled at about 20 toabout 35 degrees from the remainder of the spine.

A necklace comprising a pendant and a loop for fitting on a user is alsoprovided. The pendant comprises:

an asymmetrical knife with a blade and an ornamented handle, the handlehaving an essentially elongated teardrop shaped rim and an interior andterminates in a butt, the interior of the

handle comprising a multi-aperture cutout to define a positive or anegative silhouette; and a sheath comprised of an extrusion molded nylonsingle unit forming a laterally symmetrical body defining a cavity foraccepting the blade and an integral nipple for accepting a loop.

Preferable, a combination longitudinal axis passes through a centre ofthe nipple and a centre of the butt.

It may be desirable that the loop comprises a compliant material and aclosure. The compliant material is selected from the group consisting ofa leather thong, leather strap, leather braid, a metal chain, a cord, afabric strap or braid, a rope, or a wire.

Preferably, the nipple is solid and has a loop aperture.

Preferably, the necklace further comprises a fitting attaching the loopto the nipple.

Advantageously, the body of the sheath forms a narrow, uncontouredcavity for accepting the blade.

Preferably, the positive or negative silhouette defines an intricateartistic design, selected from the group consisting of a bear, a fishand a ram.

More preferably, the sheath further comprises an extrusion molded designon an outer surface of the body.

A method of making a necklace or bracelet is also provided comprising:

laser cutting a handle of an asymmetrical knife to provide an ornamentedhandle comprising a plurality of shapes of apertures to define apositive or a negative silhouette within a rim, the knife furthercomprising a blade;

extrusion molding a unit body, laterally symmetrical nylon sheath, thesheath having a body and solid nipple, the body defining an uncontouredcavity having a knife aperture, the cavity for friction fitting theknife blade;

attaching a loop to the nipple of the sheath; and

inserting the knife blade into the knife aperture and allowing thehandle to protrude therefrom, thereby making an essentially symmetricalnecklace or bracelet.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the combination of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the knife of the combination of FIG. 1, showingthe ram design.

FIG. 3A is a longitudinal sectional view of the sheath of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the sheath of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of the pendant of FIG. 1, showing the beardesign.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the knife of the pendant of FIG. 5A, showingthe fish design.

DEFINITIONS

Cutout—a cutout in the context of the present invention refers to animage provided by either the lack of material, as in a negativesilhouette or the presence of material, as in a positive silhouette.

Negative silhouette—a negative silhouette in the context of the presentinvention refers to an image created by a combination of voids orapertures, in other words, the image is in the combination of theapertures.

Positive silhouette—a positive silhouette in the context of the presentinvention refers to an image created by the material remaining aroundvoids or apertures.

Intricate artistic design—an intricate artistic design the context ofthe present invention is a positive or a negative silhouette having aplurality of shapes of apertures.

Plurality of shapes of apertures—a plurality of shapes of apertures inthe context of the present invention refers to more than three differentshapes.

Multi-aperture cutout—a multi-aperture cutout in the context of thepresent invention is a cutout that has a plurality of shapes ofapertures.

DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a combination, generally referred to as 10 has aknife 12, a sheath 14 and a loop 16. The loop 16 may be, for example,but not limited to a compliant material, such as a leather thong, strapor braid, a metal chain such as a gold or silver chain, a cord, a fabricstrap or braid, a rope, a plastic material, or a wire, with an optionalclosure 18, which may be integral or a separate component. The closure18 is required if the loop 16 is of a length that requires that it beundone in order to be donned and doffed. The closure 18 may be a knot,clasp or fastener, or the like. A ring 20 may join the loop 16 to thesheath 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the knife 12 has a blade 30 that is integral with ahandle 32. The blade has a curved cutting edge 34 and an essentiallystraight upper side 36, the cutting edge 34 and side 36, forming apointed terminal end 38. A first and second surface 40, 42 of the blade12 has a scoop 44 extending from the proximal end 46 and traversingapproximately ¾ of the first and second surface 40, 42 at the proximalend 46. A spine 48 of the handle 32 extends along the upper side 36. Thespine 48 has a flattened distal section 50. This provides a flat surfacefor a user to press down on to assist in cutting. The flattened distalsection is angled at about 20 to about 35 degrees, and preferably about25 degrees to about 30 degrees from the remainder of the spine 48, tofurther assist a user in cutting. The ram design can be seen in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the handle 32 has an outer rim 56 and an interior52. The outer rim 56 is essentially an elongated teardrop shape, withthe upper side 57 having a minimal curve, the butt 59 being curved in aconvex manner and a concave curve 58 on the lower side 60 of the handle32 being ergonomically shaped to accept a user's thumb. The interior 52is a multi-aperture cutout 54 defining a positive or a negativesilhouette or an intricate artistic design. As would be known to oneskilled in the art, the interior of the handle may be formed by carving,forging, molding or cutting or any other means of providing the desiredcutout. At the junction between the blade 30 and the handle 32, aquillon 62 extends from the lower side 60. The quillon 62 and the spine48 form the margins of the scoop 44.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and B, the sheath 14 has a body 70 and a nipple 72.The body defines a cavity 74 with a knife aperture 76 communicating withthe exterior. The nipple 72 has a loop aperture 78 for either directlyaccepting the loop 16, or for accepting a fitting 20 for directattachment to the loop 16 and nipple 72 (as shown in FIG. 1). The sheath14 is extrusion molded nylon and is a single unit. This allows for easyproduction of the sheath 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the body 70 iscompressed to form two sides 82, 84 that do not have the same contour asthe blade 30. In other words, they are not molded to the exact shape ofthe knife blade 30 and therefore the cavity is uncontoured and thesheath is laterally symmetrical. The cavity 74 does not extend into thenipple 72, and it therefore is solid. This provides the strengthrequired to suspend the combination of the knife 12 and sheath 14 fromthe loop 16. As can be understood by viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheath14 fits snugly over the blade 30 and up to the quillon 62 and provides afriction fit.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the knife 12 and sheath 14 form a pendant,generally referred to as 90. The ornamented handle 32 can be seenextending from the sheath 14, while the blade 30 is covered. The beardesign can be seen in this figure. As shown in FIG. 1, the pendant 90 isattached to the loop 16, becoming a piece of jewelry in the form of anecklace or bracelet, while also being a knife holder. When removed fromthe pendant 90, the knife 12 can be used as an implement, giving thependant dual functionality.

As shown in FIG. 4B, while the knife 12 is not a symmetrical object, aknife longitudinal axis 100 extends between the centre 102 of the butt59 and the pointed terminal end 38. The fish design can be seen in thisfigure. Thus, when this asymmetrical knife 12 is placed within sheath14, which is symmetrical, a combination longitudinal axis passes 104through the centre 106 of the nipple 72 and the centre 102 of the butt59. The symmetry of the sheath 14 and knife 12 combination 10 is shownin FIG. 5A. This allows the pendant to hang essentially vertically, andhave all the appearances of a piece of jewelry.

The foregoing is an embodiment of the present technology. As would beknown to one skilled in the art, variations are contemplated that do notalter the scope of the technology. The carved interior of the handle maybe formed by carving, etching, forging, casting, molding or cutting. Ifforged or cast, then the knife in its entirety would preferably beforged or cast. The sheath may be any colour including multi-coloured.Further, the body of the sheath may be molded to have a design or logoon the outer surface of the body. This can be easily achieved bymodifying the mold for the sheath. The loop may be a non-compliant wirethat retains its shape.

1. A pendant for dual use as ornamentation and a knife holder, thependant comprising: a knife with a blade and an ornamented handle, thehandle having an essentially elongated teardrop shaped rim and aninterior, and terminating in a butt, the interior of the handlecomprising a multi-aperture cutout to define a positive or a negativesilhouette; and a sheath comprised of an extrusion molded nylon singleunit forming a laterally symmetrical body defining a cavity foraccepting the blade and an integral nipple for accepting a loop.
 2. Thependant of claim 1, wherein the positive or negative silhouette definesan intricate artistic design, selected from the group consisting of abear, a fish or a ram.
 3. The pendant of claim 2, wherein the intricateartistic design is formed from a negative silhouette.
 4. The pendant ofclaim 3, wherein the knife is asymmetrical and the pendant issymmetrical.
 5. The pendant of claim 4, wherein the body of the sheathdefines a narrow uncontoured cavity for accepting the blade.
 6. Thependant of claim 5 wherein the blade and ornamented handle are integraland the handle has a quillon and spine, the spine extending distallyalong the blade and having a flattened distal section, to provide a flatsurface for a user to press against to assist in cutting.
 7. The pendantof claim 6, wherein the nipple is solid and has a loop aperture.
 8. Thependant of claim 7, wherein the sheath is multi-coloured.
 9. The pendantof claim 8, wherein the handle has a concave curve on a lower side. 10.The pendant of claim 9, wherein the flattened distal section is angledat about 20 to about 35 degrees from the remainder of the spine.
 11. Anecklace comprising a pendant and a loop for fitting on a user, thependant comprising: an asymmetrical knife with a blade and an ornamentedhandle, the handle having an essentially elongated teardrop shaped rimand an interior and terminates in a butt, the interior of the handlecomprising a multi-aperture cutout to define a positive or a negativesilhouette; and a sheath comprised of an extrusion molded nylon singleunit forming a laterally symmetrical body defining a cavity foraccepting the blade and an integral nipple for accepting a loop.
 12. Thenecklace of claim 11, wherein a combination longitudinal axis passesthrough a centre of the nipple and a centre of the butt.
 13. Thenecklace of claim 12, wherein the loop comprises a compliant materialand a closure.
 14. The necklace of claim 13, wherein the nipple is solidand has a loop aperture.
 15. The necklace of claim 14, furthercomprising a fitting attaching the loop to the nipple.
 16. The necklaceof claim 15, wherein the compliant material is selected from the groupconsisting of a leather thong, leather strap, leather braid, a metalchain, a cord, a fabric strap or braid, a rope, or a wire.
 17. Thenecklace of claim 16, wherein the body of the sheath forms a narrow,uncontoured cavity for accepting the blade.
 18. The necklace of claim17, wherein the positive or negative silhouette defines an intricateartistic design selected from the group consisting of a bear, a fish anda ram.
 19. The necklace of claim 18, wherein the sheath furthercomprises an extrusion molded design on an outer surface.
 20. A methodof making a necklace or bracelet comprising: laser cutting a handle ofan asymmetrical knife to provide an ornamented handle comprising aplurality of shapes of apertures to define a positive or a negativesilhouette within a rim, the knife further comprising a blade; extrusionmolding a unit body, laterally symmetrical nylon sheath, the sheathhaving a body and solid nipple, the body defining an uncontoured cavityhaving a knife aperture, the cavity for friction fitting the knifeblade; attaching a loop to the nipple of the sheath; and inserting theknife blade into the knife aperture and allowing the handle to protrudetherefrom, thereby making an essentially symmetrical necklace orbracelet.